DIY: How to Monogram a Plate

Well, I tried out my experiment and my conclusion of how it turned out is mixed......Here's what I tried, I started by creating my own "E" initial stencil.  I just went into Microsoft Word and found a font I liked, made the letter the size I wanted and just printed it onto regular paper.  Then I took an exacto knife and cut out the letter from the paper, sprayed it with aerosol adhesive, and stuck the paper to the plate.  I then took a simple gold metallic paint pen and filled in stencil.  When I took off the paper stencil, there was a little bit of bleeding so I took a Qtip and put some nail polish remover on it to clean up around the edges and Voila!  A monogrammed plate was born!  Here are some pics I took during the project:

Choosing the E in Microsoft Word

Cutting the E out into a more workable size of paper.  Then you use the exacto knife to cut out the black font area. 

Here is the aerosol adhesive I used.  I just picked it up at Hobby Lobby.

The finished product.  Already hanging up in my dining room.

In conclusion, Yes, this quick and dirty how to monogram a plate method worked.  I do think I'm going to redo it next week (I'm headed out of town tomorrow until Sunday night) with gold paint instead of the paint pen.  That's because the paint pen didn't give the initial the glossy look I had hoped for.  The E looks rather dull when you compare it to the rest of the gold on the plate.  I haven't decided yet if I want to polyurethane spray over it or not.  I'll do an update and let you know.  Just remember that if you mess up, just use the polish remover to get the paint off.  Test an area on the back of the plate first with the remover to make sure it doesn't hurt the plate's finish in anyway first.  If you try this please let me know how it turned out and send pics!

Obsession of the Day: Monogrammed Plates

Last November I attended the annual Chi Omega Christmas Market in Dallas.  My good friend Amy Timmerman was the co-chair (and is this year too) and had been begging me to come for years, so I did strictly to show support.  What a treasure trove I found!  I ended up going back for another visit a few days later and bought tons of Christmas presents as well as a lot of great things for our house, Evie, and myself. 
There were two vendors that really stuck out in my mind and I've discussed with some of the other attendees (good friends Stacye and Mica) and they were in the monogrammed plate business. 
The first vendor is La Plates and does melamine plates that are contemporary and modern and did I mention super cute?  These are great for place settings or if you want to showcase in a bookcase, on a counter, or on a wall! They also make platters, cutting boards, bags, glasses, etc...and you personalize it how you want it! Take a look.

B is for Beth!

I love a good geometric pattern

I'm obsessing over Greek key patterns lately.

  Expect to see an Obsession of the Day about it soon. 

This one makes such a bold statement

I think I see a cutting board in my future

La Plates also has tons more than just plates so check them out!



The second vendor has inspired me to do a Kwik Kraft of my own later today (more to come on that). Kelly Wilson Antiques does amazing work.  She takes antique plates and platters, mostly from England, and decoupages an initial on them.  They are beautiful in person and stunning on a wall.  You can buy prefinished pieces, pick a plate to have your initial added to out of her inventory, or you can provide her with a plate of your own for her to initial.  For those of you in Dallas, she sets up shop at the Forestwood Antique Mall which is at Forest and Dallas North Tollway.  Check out some of her A-mazing creations below.

I really think that Kelly Wilson Antiques has a little something for everybody whether your style is contemporary or classic.  The best designers also mix the two!

Hope you all enjoyed this post.  I have to run some errands because my parents are coming in a few hours and need to stock up on food.  But when I get back I'm going to do a little trial and error experimentation on making my own mongrammed plate.  I'll let you know how it turns out!

Yummy in my Tummy: Chicken Spaghetti

As a former full time working mom, I know the importance of a quick delicious meal that everyone will love.  This one is sure to please and only takes 30 minutes!  I have made this with whole wheat noodles and it throws off the taste.  I've never done it with gluten free noodles, but if you try it and it turns out good - please let me know!

Ingredients:
3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Spaghetti Noodles (angel hair or regular)
1 packet of Lipton Onion dry soup mix
1 can of Original Rotel
12 ounces of Velveeta or another melting cheese of your choice (this is about 3/4ths of a block)
Spaghetti Noodles
Optional Ingredients:  Half an onion and a green pepper

Get a large pot and fill with water; bring to a boil.  Cut up chicken breasts into about 1/2 to 1 inch cubes and throw into the water. Add the spaghetti noodles (I use a good size handfull.  I took a handful and was able to stick all the ends of the noodles into a tablespoon.)  If you choose to add the onion and green pepper, do that now.  Cut them up into 1/2 inch to 1 inch sized pieces and throw them in the pot with chicken and spaghetti to boil. 

Below is a pic of the new kitchen stovetop area

Once the noodles are full cooked, slowly start to drain out the water, BUT do not drain out all of the water.  Leave enough so that the top of the noodles are just sticking out above the water. 

I hope you can see the water line around the edges.  It's just about right even with the top of the chicken and noodles.

Turn the heat down to Low on the burner.  Toss in the Rotel and Lipton Onion dry packet ingredients and stir.  Then cut up the Velveeta and add to the pot.  Stir occasionally to make sure the velveeta is melting.  Once all the cheese has melted and you have a creamy consistancy, Enjoy! 

The final product.  Delicious!

Obsession of the Day: Enchanted by Emerald

A lot of things have inspired today's post:  I'm trying to think of a great complimentary color to Pop! in my master bedroom, I was looking at pics of Evelyn and spotted me wearing my favorite dress in one, and I saw a ring similar to one my mother has. Emerald is one of my all time favorite colors, but I have never used it in any of my houses.  Now might be a time for change since we've moved back to Arkansas and into a new "white box" house!  Emerald looks a-mazing with gold as well as black and white. It's a great pop of color for a room as well as a full on saturation for walls.  Enjoy!